March 28, 2014 - Pilatus Aircraft signed a
Memorandum of Understanding with SAAB cementing
a far reaching partnership which on the one hand
addresses the offset obligations of SAAB related
to the possible purchase of the Gripen for the
Swiss Air Force, while at the same time forging
a long term relationship between two innovative
and forward looking aerospace companies.

A new generation of aircraft for a new
generation of military pilots, Gripens for
Switzerland and the PC-21s for Sweden. The PC-21
Pilot Training System has been the subject of
sales negotiations between Pilatus and Sweden
for some time. A decision to proceed with the
purchase of the Gripen would take Pilatus one
step closer to concluding a PC-21 contract,
creating a win-win situation for both countries.

An order to produce and deliver some twenty
PC-21s would be an important achievement for one
of Central Switzerland’s biggest employers, with
a workforce of over 1600 at its headquarters in
Stans, and would also provide a boost for
related business entities across Switzerland as
a whole.

Pilatus and SAAB also aim to create some 100
further new positions in the aerostructures
sector. The production for the PC-21, the Gripen
and other aircraft types made by both
manufacturers will be performed at a new
location in Switzerland which has yet to be
defined.

Plans have also been agreed to set up an
“Aerospace Software Development Center” in
Switzerland. The two aircraft manufacturers will
focus on developing innovative and
safety-related software for their aircraft and
associated groundbased systems.

The goal will be to bundle know-how and exploit
synergies to benefit the product ranges of both
companies. All these measures are forecast to generate
orders worth some half a billion Swiss francs over the
next five to eight years. Around half of that total
would go to Pilatus’ Swiss supplier base.

Markus Bucher, CEO of Pilatus Aircraft Ltd, explains
“This is a long-term partnership that makes sense,
and would benefit both Sweden and Switzerland. The
Gripen is the optimum aircraft for the Swiss Air
Force and the PC-21 provides the best solution for
the provision of training to military pilots, in
Sweden and elsewhere. The Gripen offset deal has
been vigorously negotiated in detail by armasuisse.
It will allow Pilatus and around 600 Swiss suppliers
to safeguard valuable development and industrial
jobs on a long-term basis.”